Disposable hair lightening applicator comb

ABSTRACT

A hair lightening comb applicator ( 10 ) contains all of the necessary ingredients and tools to evenly dispense hair dying mix. The comb has teeth ( 22 ) spaced apart the proper distance and a mix of dye and accelerator are contained within two separate squeeze tubes ( 46  and  54 ) attached to a comb body ( 20 ). A mixer insert ( 42 ) is in communication with the bleach dye and accelerator tubes and a passageway conduit incorporated within the comb permits the mixed emulsion paste from the mixer insert to be ejected between the comb teeth by manually squeezing the tubes together achieving the desired volume control.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/687,694 filed May 1, 2012.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to hair dye applicators in general. More specifically to a disposable comb having dual squeeze tubes and a fluid manifold within the comb dissipating mixed dye and accelerator at spaced intervals when the comb is applied to a persons hair.

BACKGROUND ART

Previously, many types of combs have been used in endeavoring to provide an effective means to dispense hair styling solutions to the hair. Many prior art patents have accomplished the task using a squeeze bottle or a valve for a single solution, other approaches have been developed such as electric motor driven liquid dye dispensers, and electromechanical brushes for a dye requiring mixing with a catalyst.

The prior art listed below did not disclose patents that possess the novelty of the instant invention; however the following U.S. patents are considered related:

Pat. No. Inventor Issue Date 4,090,522 Donley et al. May 23, 1978 4,605,026 Nolin Aug. 12, 1986 5,215,106 Choi Jun. 1, 1993 6,260,557 B1 Yarbourgh Jul. 17, 2001 7,055,528 B2 Shah et al. Jun. 6, 2006 7,063,090 B2 Wang et al. Jun. 20, 2006 7,334,583 B2 Niv Feb. 26, 2008

Nolin in U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,026 teaches a comb for dispensing treatment solution to hair, which incorporates a frame member with groups of teeth extending perpendicular the frame creating gaps therebetween. A fluid conduit is forming interiorly of the frame with a passageway in fluid communication with a trough in the handle portion which is connected to a squeeze bottle for controlling the amount of solution dispensed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,215,106 issued to Choi provides a hair-painting comb device with a container containing a hairstyling solution. The device comprises a number of sponge members with a tube inside and valves feeding the sponge members and also a push button dispenser at the upper portion of the solution container to control flow.

Yarbourgh in U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,557 B1 discloses a hair colorant applicator in the form of a hollow comb with a threaded receiver top that accepts standard plastic bottles of hair colorant in the inverted position. The teeth of the comb are in the form of tubes with a hollow channel in each tube terminating in an orifice at its tip. Hair colorant flows from the bottle thorough the body of the comb and exits at the tips of the tubes.

Shah et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,528 B2 teaches a dye applicator which includes a head with a reservoir and bristles in the form of sponge covered sleeves moistened by capillary action from a catalyzed dye from the reservoir. A handle is connect to the head and includes a container for receiving a dye and a second container for a catalyst compound; a pump is connected to each container and feeds a mixing chamber through a manifold. A solenoid actuates the pumps with a selector switch allowing selection of the precise application of the dye based on the task selected.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,090 B2 issued to Wang et al. is for a multi-functional hair-dyeing comb structure having a housing and detachable combing teeth. A liquid sac contains dye which is discharged by an electric motor.

Niv in U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,583 B2 discloses an applicator for applying a hair-treatment fluid to hair which includes a body portion and a comb portion. The body portion forms a cavity for receiving the hair-treatment material and communicates with the comb portion to apply the material to the hair pulled though the comb. A distributor valve is place in the cavity to prevent build-up of the material on the outside of the body. The distributor valve rolls and moves transversely in the cavity in response to the engagement with the hair to distribute the material more effectively.

For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention is related reference may be made to the remaining cited U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,522 issued to Donley et al.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Currently a person's hair is lightened by a beautician mixing two ingredients by hand into the form of a loose batter creamy mix. The ingredients consist of hair dye and an accelerator of peroxide in paste form. The beautician in conventional salons normally use the foil technique which is comprised of separating strands of hair about one inch wide and laying a strip of aluminum foil underneath then brushing the hair with the mix and folding the foil around the hair. Traditionally a one inch space is allowed between the foil applications and the process is repeated.

The primary object of the invention is to permit a person to accomplish hair highlighting by self administration or with the help of an untrained aide using only a self contained comb. The comb contains all of the necessary ingredients and apparatus to evenly dispense the mixed dye. The comb has teeth spaced apart the proper distance and the dye and accelerator are contained within a dual squeeze tubes. A manifold conduit is in communication with both tubes and a gallery is incorporated within the comb allowing the mix from the syringe to be ejected between the comb teeth. Manually squeezing the tubes together simultaneously permits volume control as well as providing a handle grip for the comb.

Another object of the invention is the ease of application since the distance of the space between the teeth is predetermined allowing a wide swath to be dyed at the same time. The mix ratio is pre-selected therefore no handling of liquids or emulsion is required.

Yet another advantage of the inventions use is that it saves money and time, as it does not require professional application at a hair salon with the only expense is that of purchasing the comb device at a convenient time.

Still another object is that the comb invention is completely self contained requiring no mixing or no mess with the only requirement is to remove the cap from the squeeze tubes, puncture the seal, and thread them into the mixer if the tubes are packed separately, or if the tubes are preassembled the comb is ready for use.

A further advantage is the device is cost effective to start with, as it would be almost equal to the cost of the dye itself. Since the comb is the disposable throw away after use type no storage space is required for the paraphernalia normally required to highlight hair.

Another object is realized by simply squeezing the tubes gently together a controlled slow rate of flow speed may be achieved releasing a small amount of dye mix or even a larger amount with more pressure applied.

Finally an advantage is the ease of manufacture as the comb in formed in two halves with a cavity therein which utilizes the injection molding process and then inserting the dye mixing insert in the mixing chamber and bonding the halves together.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the comb hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of the comb hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the comb hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the comb hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the comb hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the right side of the comb body of the hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the right side of the comb body of the hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the right side of the comb body of the hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the right side of the comb body of the hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a right end view of the right side of the comb body of the hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the left side of the comb body of the hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a back view of the left side of the comb body of the hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the left side of the comb hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a left end view of the left side of the comb hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the left side of the comb hair highlighting applicator in the preferred embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment. This preferred embodiment is shown in FIGS. 1 thorough 15 and is comprised of a hair lightening comb applicator 10 that includes a hollow comb body 20, having a plurality of teeth 22 descending from the body 20 and a first female threaded inlet port 24 with a vertically juxtaposed second female threaded inlet port 26, each with tubes attached.

The comb body 20 is formed by the injection molding process in two separate side halves, each having opposed interconnecting means, a left side half 28 and a right side half 30, in essentially a mirror image of the left side half 28, with both halves eventually fused together. The opposed interconnecting means are defined as a plurality of posts 32, pins 34 and sockets 36. A mixing chamber 38 is formed within both the left side half 28 and the right side half 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7 and 12.

The comb body left half 28 and comb body right half 30 each include an opposed manifold groove 40 therein, when mated together form a complete manifold conduit connecting from the first female threaded inlet port 24 and the second threaded inlet port 28 through a mixer insert 42, in the mixing chamber 38, to a specific location adjacent to the comb teeth 22. The specific location is defined as a plurality of comb teeth root junctions 44 which are each spaced apart from said comb body teeth 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 7 and 12. The plurality of teeth root junctions further comprise at least two comb teeth root junctions 44.

The comb teeth 22 have at least 4 teeth to no more than 60 teeth with each tooth bonded together, the left side half 28 and the right side half 30 forming an integral rigid tooth member 22. The plurality of teeth 22, are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3-7, 9-12 and 14-15, having exactly 8 teeth shown, however, it is anticipated that the number of teeth may vary from 4 to 60 and still be within the scope of this invention.

The hair highlighting applicator comb viscous bleach dye compound tube 46, illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, consists of a resilient thermoplastic tube with a sealed threaded nozzle 48 and a removable internally threaded cap 50 having an recessed sharp point 52 for piercing a tube seal 54 prior to attachment to the comb body 20. The formulated viscous accelerator tube 56 also consists of a duplicate of the same resilient thermoplastic tube 46 with the sealed threaded nozzle 48 and removable internally threaded cap 50 and recessed sharp point 52.

The mixer insert 42 is comprised of a mixer left half 58 and a mixer right half 60 each having an opposes set of baffles 62 mated together form the completed mixer insert 42 as shown pictorially in FIG. 5.

The preferred material for the comb body 20 and mixer insert 42 are formed of thermoplastic resin such as cellulose, phenolic, phenylene oxide, polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, acetyl, polyimide or poly vinyl chloride which is the type normally used for conventional combs. The comb body and mixer are preferably opaque.

While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.

ELEMENT DESIGNATION

-   10 hair lightening applicator comb -   20 comb body -   22 teeth (of 20) -   24 first inlet port (of 20) -   26 second inlet port (of 20) -   28 left side half (of 20) -   30 right side half (of 20) -   32 posts (of interconnecting means) -   34 pins (of interconnecting means) -   36 sockets (of interconnecting means) -   38 mixing chamber (in 20) -   40 manifold groove (in 20) -   42 mixer insert -   44 teeth root junctions (of 22) -   46 dye tube -   48 nozzle (of 46 & 56) -   50 cap (of 46 & 56) -   52 sharp point (of 50) -   54 tube seal (of 46 & 56) -   56 accelerator tube -   58 mixer left half (of 42) -   60 mixer right half (of 42) 

1-3. (canceled)
 4. A hair highlighting applicator comb which comprises; a hollow comb body having a plurality of comb teeth descending from the body, the body further having a first female threaded inlet port and a vertically juxtaposed second female threaded inlet port, wherein said comb body further comprises two separate side halves each having opposed interconnections, a viscous bleach dye compound tube threadable connected to said first female threaded inlet port, a formulated viscous accelerator tube threadably connected to said second female threaded inlet port, and a mixer insert, in fluid communication between the inlet ports and the comb teeth, which receives the viscous bleach dye compound and formulated viscous accelerator concurrently which flows through the mixer insert blending together forming a soft homogeneous emulsion paste which is discharged between selected comb teeth in a controlled manner streaking a person's hair in a spaced highlighting relationship when the applicator comb is drawn through ones hair and the tubes are simultaneously compressed together manually.
 5. The hair highlighting applicator comb as recited in claim 4 wherein said opposed interconnections are defined as a plurality of posts, pins and sockets.
 6. The hair highlighting applicator comb as recited in claim 4 further comprises a mixing chamber formed within said left side half and a right side half.
 7. The hair highlighting applicator comb as recited in claim 5 wherein said comb body left half and said comb body right half further comprise each half having an opposed manifold groove such that, when mated together form a complete manifold conduit connecting from said first female threaded inlet port and said second threaded inlet port through said mixer insert, in said mixing chamber, to a specific location adjacent to said comb teeth, wherein the specific location is defined as a plurality of comb teeth root junctions which are each spaced apart from said comb body teeth.
 8. The hair highlighting applicator comb as recited in claim 4 wherein said-plurality of teeth having at least two comb teeth root junctions.
 9. The hair highlighting applicator comb as recited in claim 4 wherein said comb teeth further comprise from at least 4 teeth to no more than 60 teeth with each tooth bonded together, said left side half and said right side half forming an integral rigid tooth member.
 10. The hair highlighting applicator comb as recited in claim 4 wherein said viscous bleach dye compound tube further comprises a resilient thermoplastic tube with a sealed threaded nozzle and a an removable internally threaded cap having an recessed sharp point for piercing the tube seal prior to attachment to the comb.
 11. The hair highlighting applicator comb as recited in claim 4 wherein said formulated viscous accelerator tube further comprises a resilient thermoplastic tube with a sealed threaded nozzle and a removable internally threaded cap having an recessed sharp point for piercing the tube seal prior to attachment to the comb.
 12. The hair highlighting applicator comb as recited in claim 4 wherein said mixer insert further comprises a mixer left half and said mixer right half each having an opposed set of mixing baffles mated together form the mixer insert.
 13. The hair highlighting applicator comb as recited in claim 4 wherein said comb body, and said mixer formed of thermoplastic resin selected from the group comprising cellulose, phenolic, phenylene oxide, polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, acetyl, polyimide and poly vinyl chloride.
 14. The hair highlighting applicator'comb as recited in claim 4 wherein said comb body, and said mixer are opaque. 